Sibling Relationships

Think back to how you related to your brothers and sisters while you were growing up. It may have a lot to do with the conflicts you face now with the people who are closest to you - your spouse, children, friends or co-workers. Sibling relationships from the past can have a profound influence on our lives today, according to Francine Klagsbrun, who wrote Mixed Feelings: Love, Hate, Rivalry and Reconciliation Among Brothers and Sisters. The best-selling author, journalist and lecturer will talk about those feelings on Monday during the fifth annual "Of Interest To Women" seminar at the Deerfield Beach Hilton.

What makes the story of Avraham (Abraham) and Sarah going to Egypt important enough to be included in the Genesis narrative? (Genesis 12:10-20) Ramban suggests that this is an example of the maxim that what occurred to our patriarchs and matriarchs will one day occur to the Jewish people. Note that Avraham migrates to Egypt because of a famine.

Miramar A new Social Services Department has been formed. Geri Freedman, who heads the department, said the goal is to link city residents in need of services with the Broward County organizations that offer them. "We are not interested in duplicating services," Friedman said. "We are here to help people navigate through the system." The department is focusing on the senior community, but plans to expand its scope in the near future. Immediate projects include staffing the satellite senior center at Sunset Lakes Regional Park and expanding the senior transportation shuttle, once it is completed.

Saying goodbye to an older sibling leaving for college can be tough. It is sometimes hard to believe that even though typical sibling rivalry has occurred throughout the years, this older brother or sister will be missed as he or she makes the transition from childhood to adulthood and enters a university. Imagining life without this sibling might seem tolerable or even fabulous, but when it happens you might realize that nothing can replace that bittersweet friendship. Of course, some things will not be missed, such as the loud rap music, the toilet seat left up and the unpleasant odors.

One woman who grew up adoring her protective older brother resented his constant advice when she turned 30. Then she married someone exactly like her brother. Another woman who had ruled her younger siblings in childhood struggled daily to accept authority in the workplace. A man of 80 could not decide whether to undergo surgery until his 85-year- old "big brother" convinced him that it was the right choice. Childhood sibling relationships, research has started to show, can have a profound and far-reaching effect on our lives.

Dear Rose: I have an older child from my first marriage and a young one from my second, which recently ended in divorce. I would like the children to get along with each other, but their mothers aren't interested in helping to develop and maintain a sibling bond between the two. How can I establish relationships with my children without establishing a lot of hostility with my ex-wives? - Pete, Fort Lauderdale Dear Pete: Our readers think your children's relationship with each other is your responsibility.

I am the oldest of three children, so sibling rivalry was a familiar state-of-being for me and my brothers in childhood. The way we related to each other, through fights and hugs, helped form our current relationships. Luckily, as we grew toward adulthood, we grew together. And now I find it difficult to imagine life without my two brothers. I'd like my two children - one is 8, the other is 17 months - to grow in friendship. Sometimes I find myself at a loss when it comes to bad feelings between them.

What makes the story of Avraham (Abraham) and Sarah going to Egypt important enough to be included in the Genesis narrative? (Genesis 12:10-20) Ramban suggests that this is an example of the maxim that what occurred to our patriarchs and matriarchs will one day occur to the Jewish people. Note that Avraham migrates to Egypt because of a famine.

Saying goodbye to an older sibling leaving for college can be tough. It is sometimes hard to believe that even though typical sibling rivalry has occurred throughout the years, this older brother or sister will be missed as he or she makes the transition from childhood to adulthood and enters a university. Imagining life without this sibling might seem tolerable or even fabulous, but when it happens you might realize that nothing can replace that bittersweet friendship. Of course, some things will not be missed, such as the loud rap music, the toilet seat left up and the unpleasant odors.

As Valentine's Day approaches, smitten teens hasten to Hallmark, gallop to Godiva, and burn rubber to Buning the Florist. Their quest is to get a little something for their significant other, their main squeeze, their amoroso. But maybe Valentine's Day should be a celebration of the fullness of other relationships. Take, for instance, the love between grandparent and grandchild. The bond between them transcends age to focus on shared experiences. Examine the commitment of master to his dog. Maintaining rapport with a pet can be hard work.

Miramar A new Social Services Department has been formed. Geri Freedman, who heads the department, said the goal is to link city residents in need of services with the Broward County organizations that offer them. "We are not interested in duplicating services," Friedman said. "We are here to help people navigate through the system." The department is focusing on the senior community, but plans to expand its scope in the near future. Immediate projects include staffing the satellite senior center at Sunset Lakes Regional Park and expanding the senior transportation shuttle, once it is completed.

Dear Rose: I have an older child from my first marriage and a young one from my second, which recently ended in divorce. I would like the children to get along with each other, but their mothers aren't interested in helping to develop and maintain a sibling bond between the two. How can I establish relationships with my children without establishing a lot of hostility with my ex-wives? - Pete, Fort Lauderdale Dear Pete: Our readers think your children's relationship with each other is your responsibility.

Think back to how you related to your brothers and sisters while you were growing up. It may have a lot to do with the conflicts you face now with the people who are closest to you - your spouse, children, friends or co-workers. Sibling relationships from the past can have a profound influence on our lives today, according to Francine Klagsbrun, who wrote Mixed Feelings: Love, Hate, Rivalry and Reconciliation Among Brothers and Sisters. The best-selling author, journalist and lecturer will talk about those feelings on Monday during the fifth annual "Of Interest To Women" seminar at the Deerfield Beach Hilton.

I am the oldest of three children, so sibling rivalry was a familiar state-of-being for me and my brothers in childhood. The way we related to each other, through fights and hugs, helped form our current relationships. Luckily, as we grew toward adulthood, we grew together. And now I find it difficult to imagine life without my two brothers. I'd like my two children - one is 8, the other is 17 months - to grow in friendship. Sometimes I find myself at a loss when it comes to bad feelings between them.

One woman who grew up adoring her protective older brother resented his constant advice when she turned 30. Then she married someone exactly like her brother. Another woman who had ruled her younger siblings in childhood struggled daily to accept authority in the workplace. A man of 80 could not decide whether to undergo surgery until his 85-year- old "big brother" convinced him that it was the right choice. Childhood sibling relationships, research has started to show, can have a profound and far-reaching effect on our lives.

Whether they're your best friends or worst enemies, siblings are usually the people you encounter the most at home. For some, a sibling is the ultimate source of entertainment, friendship and trust – the person you can truly tell everything to without worrying of your secrets spreading. Suzi Trick, a senior at the Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale, values the positive experiences she has shared with her sibling. She said her older brother is very present in her life.

Relive the past during A Walk Through Time: Davie Pioneers at the Pine Island Ridge at 6:30 p.m. today. Participants will meet at Tree Tops Park, 3900 SW 100th Ave. The ridge is adjacent to the park. Hikers will stroll through an oak hammock while discussing Davie's early community. The cost is $2 a person. Reservations are required. Call 954-370-3755. Parenting workshop offers sibling strategies The Family Center Parenting Place at Nova Southeastern University will conduct a Sisters and Brothers Parenting Workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept.